Author Archives: Margaret Merry

About Margaret Merry

I grew up in Falmouth, Cornwall, England where, after leaving Falmouth High School, I spent a year at Falmouth School of Art. Then followed three years at Hornsey College of Art in London where I obtained a Diploma in Art and Design. I then spent a post-graduate year at the West of England College of Art in Bristol where I gained an Art Teacher?s Diploma and a Certificate in Education of the University of Bristol. I lived and worked in Truro for over 30 years and became one of Cornwall's most popular artists. My paintings have been exhibited in New York, Tokyo, Paris and London and have been bought by collectors from all over the world. I have published 4 books which became local bestsellers - 'The Natural History of a Westcountry City', 'Margaret Merry's Cornish Garden Sketchbook', 'Sea & Sail' and 'Tidal Reaches'. In 2002 I moved to Spain and now live pn a small farmer the town of Alhabia in the Alpujarra Almeriense in the Province of Almeria. I now get my inspiration from the dramatic scenery of Andalucia and its old cities, towns and villages which I usually capture in watercolour. I also enjoy portraiture and figurative art, particularly nudes and dancers. For these paintings I use artists' soft pastels. I have written and illustrated 3 children's books - The Wise Old Boar, The Lonely Digger and The Adventure of Princess The Pony - which have been published in the USA.

Portrait of Shiba

Posted on November 12, 2020 by Margaret Merry

A pastel portrait I have just completed of my Mastiff/St.Bernard cross, Shiba. She was not a good model as she kept rolling over to be tickled but I think I have captured her personality. She frightens many people because of … Continue reading →

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Autumn Still Life

Posted on November 2, 2020 by Margaret Merry

Autumnal still life. Squashes and pomegranates are in season now so I included some from my finca in this composition for an autumn still life watercolour. I liked how the pomegranates add spots of pink to the predominate greens, brown … Continue reading →

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Rincon De Laujar

Posted on October 20, 2020 by Margaret Merry

A pretty corner in the town Laujar de Andarax in La Alpujarra Almeriense. The flowers of the bougainvillea and lantana make a colourful subject for my watercolour and there was a sleepy cat to include in the composition.Un bonito rincón … Continue reading →

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Bodegón Con Culebra

Posted on October 15, 2020 by Margaret Merry

I found this horseshoe whip snake in the lane that passes my farm. It had only just died and, although harmless, may have been killed by a neighbour. I was inspired to paint it so I carried it home and … Continue reading →

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La Terraza Vieja

Posted on October 6, 2020 by Margaret Merry

The front porch of a little old cortijo in Santa Cruz de Marchena, a village near my home in La Alpujarra Almeriense. In the villages around here there are many pretty little corners that would make good paintings but I … Continue reading →

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La Andaluza

Posted on September 25, 2020 by Margaret Merry

La Andaluza I thought my neighbour, Maria, looked very pretty in her flamenco dress on her birthday a few weeks ago. She inspired me to paint La Andaluza. I asked Maria if she would pose for me in the same … Continue reading →

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Rincon De La Barriada De Alcora

Posted on September 15, 2020 by Margaret Merry

Rincon De La Barriada De Alcora This old cottage is in the little village of La Barriada de Alcora near Canjayar in La Alpujarra Almeriense. I liked the pot of pink flowers in the window, the pomegranate tree and the … Continue reading →

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Aterrizaze – Landing

Posted on September 3, 2020 by Margaret Merry

This small scrapyard is on the edge of the pretty village of Almocíta in La Alpujarra Almeriense with the Sierra de Gador behind. Whenever I visit Almocita, I always make a detour to look at this fascinating collection of old … Continue reading →

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My Neighbour’s Hens

Posted on August 25, 2020 by Margaret Merry

José, who lives in the cortijo across the lane from me, has a large flock of hens which run free among the olive trees in his finca. He has provided many hiding places for them to explore and find shade, … Continue reading →

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Still Life With Squashes And Thistles

Posted on August 17, 2020 by Margaret Merry

I thought these squashes from my finca would make an interesting subject for a watercolour. I placed them with dried grass on a shelf in my greenhouse but I thought the composition needed something else so I went back out … Continue reading →

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